Original scientific paper
Attitudes of Medical Staff Towards the Psychiatric Label »Schizophrenic Patient« Tested by an Anti-Stigma Questionnaire
Igor Filipčić
Dino Pavičić
Aida Filipčić
Ljubomir Hotujac
Dražen Begić
Jasmina Grubišin
Veljko Đorđević
Abstract
The aim of this research was to investigate the opinions and attitudes of medical
staff towards schizophrenic patients. The research included three groups of examinees,
200 physicians of various specialties, 200 nurses and technicians working in Zagreb
city hospitals, and 200 3rd and 4th year students of the School of Medicine in Zagreb.
Previously validated anti-stigma questionnaire was used, consisting of 25 questions divided
into three thematic groups, structured and adapted to the specific requirements of
this study. The results were mutually compared and statistically analyzed by applying
the
2-test. Significant difference (p < 0.01) between the answers of physicians and those
of medical students was found in questions 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, and
between physicians and nurses/technicians in answers to questions 4, 15, 22, 23. Significant
difference (p < 0.01) between the answers given by nurses/technicians and medical
students was found in questions 10, 13, 22, 23. The results point to the existence of
prejudices and stigmatizing attitudes in all three investigated groups. The most frequent
reasons for stigmatizing attitude of students are based on fear and insufficient
knowledge about mental patients and schizophrenia as a disease, while there are a high
percentage of positive answers to the questions on rehabilitation and resocialization.
The nurses/ technicians also show a high degree of mistrust towards schizophrenic patients
and mostly answer with »I don't know«, thus presenting insufficiently formed attitudes
about the mentioned problems. The physicians in their answers confirm fear,
mistrust and stigmatizing attitudes towards schizophrenic patients found in general
population in Croatia1. The consequences of such attitudes are the low quality of life of
schizophrenic patients, and slow, often incomplete, resocialization.
Keywords
anti-stigma questionnaire; medical staff; schizophrenic patient
Hrčak ID:
28075
URI
Publication date:
16.6.2003.
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